The THAIFEX – World of Food Asia event this May has included a specially designated halal product zone in one of its halls (hall 1) in recognition of the growth of Southeast Asia as a significant regional market for halal products with an audience of 225 million Muslims, fast-developing halal food production industries and halal certification activities.
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| Source: THAIFEX website. |
Besides the product zone, the organisers are providing standees to highlight that halal products are available at the booth; showcasing products from halal-certified exhibitors at THAIFEX – World of Food Asia in a prominent manner; and continuing to conduct the World of Halal seminar, a key event at THAIFEX, to address
the challenges and key issues of the halal food industry in this region.
According to the organisers, the potential audience for halal products numbers 1.6 billion Muslims in over 112 countries (2006 numbers), while the
global market for halal products is estimated to be worth US$580 billion annually. "While
developed countries are seeing declining populations with shrinking
families, Muslim nations are seeing rapid growth and large families.
Islam is the second-largest religion in the world after Christianity,
and the fastest-growing," notes the website. The Thaifex website notes that Thailand is the sixth largest halal food exporter in the world. The domestic halal food market in Thailand grows around 20% a year. Out of 30,000 food factories in Thailand now, 8,000 are involved in halal food production. Thailand is also developing Pattani, one of the southern border provinces, into a halal industrial centre.
THAIFEX runs from 21 to 25 May in Bangkok, Thailand at the IMPACT Exhibition and Convention Center, Challenger Halls 1, 2, and 3. Pre-registration ends May 15.